Bryan was sent to Rampton special hospital in 1994 after admitting the unlawful killing of 20–year–old shop assistant Nisha Sheth,
who was beaten to death with a hammer in 1993.

By February 2001 the nursing staff thought
he had made considerable progress in regard to his
'behaviour, attitude, maturity, relationships, anger and
insight'."

Bryan was transferred from Rampton in June 2001 to the John Howard Centre after a six month trial leave project agreed by the Home Office. He was released into the care of a psychiatrist and social worker.

After applying to a Mental Health Review Tribunal in 2002, he was moved to the Riverside Hostel in north London where he was allowed door keys and could come and go as he pleased. Psychiatrists and social workers were remarking that there had been a "continued improvement" in his behaviour.

November 2002 his mental health
social worker wrote to the Home Office stating that
matters had settled down and there were no further
concerns. It was thought that he "did not present any
major risks."

October 2003 psychiatrists noted
there had been "a continued improvement in his mental
state" and talked of plans for a move to more independent
accommodation.

January 2004 social workers applied
for a transfer of Bryan to "low–support accommodation".

But, Bryan was then transferred to an open
psychiatric ward at Newham General Hospital for his safety
after allegations that he had indecently assaulted a
16–year–old girl close to the hostel.

February 2004 he walked out of the
mental health unit in Newham, east London, and killed
friend Brian Cherry.
Police were called after neighbours heard screams and
weapons, including a hammer, were found strewn around the
flat. When police caught up with him,
he was cooking the dead man's brain in a frying pan.

Bryan was remanded to Broadmoor special
hospital after appearing in court over Mr Cherry's death.

Two months later, while on remand in
Broadmoor Hospital, Bryan killed his third victim, a
fellow patient, Richard Loudwell, aged 60. He battered him
on the head and tied a ligature around his neck. Mr
Loudwell died in hospital later that day.. Bryan said that
if he had not been interrupted he would have eaten
Loudwell's flesh.

15 March 2005 -
Bryan pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to two
manslaughters on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Judge Giles Forrester said:
"You killed on these last two occasions because it gave
you a thrill and a feeling of power when you ate flesh.

Bryan, a paranoid schizophrenic and
self-confessed cannibal, was jailed for life for killing
two people.